Orphaned Cottontail super attached- is this normal?

[lilkrin]

I rescued a wild cottontail rabbit about a week ago. I’m positive that the mother isn’t around because I used the floss tip by making an X across the nest and also moved one of my security camera that has a motion detector so I could make sure the mom came back and that my dogs didn’t disturb the nest (I gated it off, but still wasn’t to assure their safety). After a bad storm, she didn’t come back for 2 days and only one baby was still alive so I took it in. The wildlife rescues near me are at capacity and I’ve fostered sick animals in the past (but never a rabbit) so I figured I’d give it a shot and do my best. I’m assuming the baby is about 2 weeks old because she opened her eyes about 5 days ago. She’s a bit skinnier than I would like but everyday she’s becoming more comfortable with syringe feeding and eating more everyday. (Don’t worry, I’m overly cautious about aspirating and take all measures to prevent it).

My question is- is it normal for her to want to be with me 24/7? She always wants to be held or burrowed in my lap. She’s super affectionate and loves licking me. Since I planned to release her when she was older, I’ve just been using a big box as her cage and filled it with her old nest, grass, hay, etc. However, if I put her in there and she hears my voice she immediately tries to climb out to get to me. She’s currently cozied up in my fanny pack so she can be close and burrow while I work at my computer. All of the articles I’ve read said holding baby rabbits/bunnies stresses them out so I’m confused by her behavior. She appears much more stressed when she’s not being held or in my lap. Has anyone experienced this? I’m not sure if it’s just because she’s a baby and she’ll become independent as she ages.

Also, will her attachment prevent me from releasing her? I figured once she’s old enough, I’d let her decide if she wants to go or stay. If anyone has advice it’d be much appreciated! Just trying to do right by my little orphan bun.

 

[Bam]

Baby buns are “programmed” to be very close to their siblings in the nest even if they are weaned as early as 3-4 weeks of age. So it makes sense this bun wants to be near you. I don’t think it’s harmful for her/him. In general, baby buns do appreciate being held and cuddled, it’s when they hit puberty they start to find it (very!) stressful to be lifted up and held.

I’ll alert our wild-life-rehab- experienced moderator LBJ to this thread.

[LBJ10]

Bam is correct. Very young bunnies are going to take comfort in their siblings and that feeling of being in a nest. Some rehabbers will put young bunnies with other young bunnies (if possible) for this reason. So it makes sense that this bunny is acting this way. Her siblings are gone, so she is seeking that feeling of security elsewhere. At this stage, I wouldn’t be overly concerned. Mom would be grooming and touching the babies, so massaging during feedings is OK.

They start to become more independent as they get older and the transition to being “wary” should happen naturally. Once she’s a old enough, she should be moved to an enclosure where she can begin to feel comfortable with the outdoors and acclimate to the weather. Gradually limiting interactions with her will help her wild instincts kick in. She should start to become somewhat fearful and wary of you. That will signal to you that she will do fine out in the wild.

[lilcottontail]

This is not normal at all for a wild cottontail to be super attached to a human. As soon as their eyes are open and they are able to run, they normally will be hypervigilant and trying to get away. It can go from one extreme (them being super passive and burrowing) to running away within a day or two.

[lilcottontail]

So make sure she is healthy. A healthy wild cottontail should not be acting that way. But if you observe her growing and otherwise healthy, while still wanting to bond with you, maybe you are the bunny whisperer. 🙂

[lilcottontail]

Looking at the ears of your bunny….he/she is only days old. It will show it’s wild side quickly. Allow it to do so and release it after you have formula fed it for about 5 weeks. After a couple weeks, you can put the formula in a bowl and he/she will drink it on her own.

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